New wind farm bid near Clonmacnoise heritage attraction

A planning application for a controversial wind farm which is being planned directly across the River Shannon from the Clonmacnoise monastic site could be lodged by the end of next year.

BnM and SSE Renewables are behind plans for a seven-turbine project in the South Roscommon area, which is to be known as Cornafulla Wind Farm.

A draft layout for the project has been published in recent days showing the turbines, each with a maximum blade tip height of 200 metres. However, the developers have said this could be increased to 220 metres.

Public consultation sessions were held in late 2025, and the project has already sparked strong opposition.

The proximity of the project to the monastic settlement at Clonmacnoise, which is located directly across the river from the proposed site, has been highlighted, with Offaly TD Carol Nolan stating: “This proposal raises profound questions about the compatibility of large-scale wind energy infrastructure with the protection of one of Ireland’s most important cultural, spiritual and natural heritage landscapes.”

The developers say the nearest turbine is approximately 2.2 kilometres from the monastic site.

The wind turbines are proposed to be sited between Drumlosh, Cornafulla and Clonown in South Roscommon. Concerns have been raised by locals in that area due to the sensitive ecological nature of the Shannon Callows, which adjoins the bog site, and the biodiversity of the area.

The members of the Athlone Municipal District of Roscommon County Council last year called on planners, including An Coimisiún Pleanála, to fully recognise what they describe as the “sensitivities of the area”.

They warned that the development “is not in keeping with the County Development Plan and its associated strategies.”

The developers have begun to distribute new information on the project to homes in area as part of further public consultation.

They said the project will “contribute to the goals set out in Ireland’s Climate Action Plan 2025 and offer new economic opportunities across the region”.

It is anticipated that less than 5% of the proposed site area will be used for turbine bases, crane hard-standings and access tracks.

The current draft layout is based on turbines of 200 metres in height, and a minimum setback distance of 800 metres from the nearest residential property.

However, the developers have said: “Turbines of up to 220m tip height may also be considered as part of the final design.”

Should this occur, they would be located further from the nearby residential properties and there could also be a reduction in the number of turbines proposed.

The developers also stated their intention to apply to An Coimisiún Pleanála under the provision of the Planning and Development Act as to whether the project is deemed Strategic Infrastructure Development, which would facilitate an application direct to the planning board, rather than to the local authority in the first instance.